Hair curler



Aug. 19, 1941. D. ARCHER HAIR CURLER Filed March 8, 1941 Patented Aug. 19, 1941 UNITED STATES PATET OFFICE HAIR CURLER Doriane Archer, Los Angeles, Calif. Application March 8, 1941, Serial No. 382,492

7 Claims.

This invention relates to a hair curling device and it is a general object of the invention to provide a simple, inexpensive, and very effective hair curler of :the type wherein a strand of hair is Wound or curled about an element which remains on the persons head for as long as required to give the strand a set or curl.

Another object of this invention is to provide a hair curling device of the character referred to that is characterized by its simplicity'of construction and low manufacturing cost.

Another and important object of the invention is to provide a hair curling device of the character referred to that is easy and convenient to use and that remains in place until deliberately removed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hair curler of the character mentioned that is small, compact, and inconspicuous.

A further object of this invention is to provide a hair curler of the character referred to that does not embody pins, sharp edges, or other hazardous parts liable to cut or break the hair, and `that cannot be fouled or tangled in the hair.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical preferred form and application of the invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. l is a fragmentary elevation View of the hair curler in the open or extended condition, showing the end portion of a hair strand initially engaged therein. Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 with the strand curled or wound on the device. Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 Vshowing the device latched` or retained on the curled strand. Fig. 4 is a side or edge view of the device in the condition illustrated in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary longitudinal detailed sectional View taken substantially as indicated by line 5--5 on Fig. 1, and Fig. 6 is a perspective View of the device.

The improved hair curler of my invention may be said to comprise, generally, a forked spindle the hair gripping and spooling element I6).

The element It comprises two tines, arms or fingers I2. The lingers I2 are elongate parts With straight longitudinal edges and rounded outer ends I3. The inner opposing surfaces of the fingers I2 are flat to better engage or grip the hair strand S. The outer surfaces of the ngers I2 are rounded or convex, the fingers being substantially semi-cylindrical in transverse cross section. With this formation the two lingers I2 form a generally cylindrical spool on which the hair strand may be wound to assume a substantially cylindrical curl form. In the preferred construction the element I is an integral or one-piece member, the two lingers I2 being integrally joined at their inner ends. The connecting portion III connecting or joining the lingers I2 forms a hub or bearing for pivotally mounting the fingers on the carrier and keeper II. The bearing portion I4 is substantially cylindrical in transverse cross section and is tubu lar having a longitudinal opening I5 whose aXis is transverse of the long axis of the element I. The hair gripping and spooling element I0 is constructed so that its lingers I2 normally tend to diverge or flare slightly from the connecting portion I4 and the resiliency of the element restores the ngers I2 to this condition when freed after use. The element l@ may be formed of metal, pyroXylin, plastic, or other material having the desired qualities of flexibility and resiliency. It will be observed that the element I0 is a simple, inexpensive, readily formed part.

The carrier and keeper Ii serves as a support or mounting for the element I and as a keeper for retaining the curled strand S in the curled condition on the element Il). In the preferred construction the carrier and keeper Il is an elongate strap-like part having straight longitudinal edges and generally flat surfaces. It is to be understood that the edges of both the element` III and the keeper Il may be smooth and rounded. As illustrated in the drawing, the carrier and keeper II is somewhat wider than the element III` and is of substantially the same length as the element III. The inner end part of the keeper Il. is formed to pivotally support Upturned ears Iii-are provided on the opposite edges of the inner end of the carrier and keeper II. The bearing portion Ill of the element Iii is received between the ears I6. A pivot pin lI is carried in openings in the ears l and passes through the opening I5 to pivotally mount the element Iii .on the carrier and keeper II. The ends of the pin Il are upset, riveted or headed over to prevent displacement of the pin and to remove sharp edges and corners. The element ID and the keeper II are connected by the pin II so that they may be swung between the extended positions illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 5 of the drawing and the'active positions illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4.

The outer portion of the carrier and keeper II is formed to latch or retain the element II) so that the strand S Wrapped thereon is gripped or held between the element I and the keeper I I and thus maintained in the wrapped or curled condition. An opening I8 is provided in the outer end part of the carrier and keeper II to receive the outer portions of the fingers I2. In practice the opening I8 may be square or rectangular and is proportioned to receive the fingers I2 with suitable clearance. When the strand S is wound or curled on the element I0 the element and the keeper II are swung or hinged together. This causes the strand S to be gripped between the element II) and the keeper II and results in the flexing or bowing of both the element I and the keeper I I and allows the outer end portion of the element IB to enter or snap into -the opening I8. The resiliency of the bowed element I0 and the keeper II maintains the outer surface of the uppermost finger I2 in tight engagement with the end Wall of the opening IS and this engagement retains the element II and the keeper II in the active positions. The rounded outer ends I3 of the fingers I2 are readily slipped or snapped into the opening I8.

The carrier and keeper Il described above is formed of a selected material having the desired flexibility and resiliency. The carrier and keeper II maybe formed of a suitable metal, pyroxylin, plastic, brous material, paper, or the like. The element I@ and the keeper II may be. of any selected colors, finishes, etc., and may be plated or ornamented as desired.

It is believed that the utility and practicability of the hair curler of this invention will be apparent from the foregoing detailed description. ln use the element II) and the keeper II are preferably extended and the outer end portion of the hair strand S is inserted between the fingers I2, as illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawing. It isk preferred to space the strand S between the ends of the fingers I2 leaving free or unoccupied portions at the'opposite ends of the iingers. The strand S is then wound on the element .IIi as by rotating or turning the device while maintaining a suitable tension on the strand.` With the hair strand S wound on the element III as shown in Fig. 2 of thev drawing the carrier and keeper II is pivotedto the active position to engage against the wound .strand S. As above described, this results in the flexing or bowing of both the element I0 and the keeper II and the parts may be manipulated to cause theV fingers I2 to enter or snap into the openings I8. With the ngers I2 engaged in the opening the curled strand S is rseourelyheld or retained. When it is desired to remove the curler the carrier andkeeper II is pivotedV and flexed outwardly with respect to the. element` It! to disengage the element I0 from the opening I8 and the fingers I2 are withdrawn from the curled strand S. As aboveldescribed, the lingers I2 return to their spread or flared condition when released and the flaring lingers are easily disengaged from the curled strand.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specic details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art, or Vfall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A hair curler of the character described comprising an elongate spindle element having a pair of fingers in face to face relation and aring apart from their inner ends to receive the end portion of a hair strand whereby the strand may be wound on the element, a keeper pivotally connected with the inner end of the spindle element to be swung from an extended position to a position where it extends along the side of the element in face to face relation to one of its ingers to engage and retain the strand, and means for releasably latching the outer ends of the element and keeper together to retain the keeper in the last named position.

2. A hair curler of the character described comprising an elongate spindle element having a pair of Vfingers iiaring apart from their inner ends to receive the end Aportion of a hair strand whereby the strand maybe wound on the element, a keeper pivotally connected with the inner end of the spindle element to be swung from an extended position to a position where it extends along the side of the element in lface to face relation to one of its fingers to engage and retain the strand, the element and keeper being formed of iiexible material so that they Yare bowed due to the presence of the curled strand when the keeper is brought to said second position, and means for latching the keeper in said second position comprisingfwalls on the keeper defining a`n opening for receiving the outer end part of the element.

3. A hair curler of i the character described comprising a spindle element on which a strand of hair is to be wound, the element including a pair of flexible, slightly diverging lingers between Vwhich the end of the strand may be engagedand an inner end portion connectingthe fingers, an elongate flexible keeper, means connecting the inner end of the keeper and said inner end portion of the element so that the keeper may be swung from an extended position to an active position where it is in face to face relation to one of said fingers to clamp against the wound strand, the element and keeper being bowed outwardly between their ends due to the ,engagement of the keeper with the wound strand so that the outer ends of the keeper and element tend to cross, and means for latching the keeper in the active position,

4. A hair curler of the character described comprising a spindle element on which a strand of hair is to be wound, the element including a pair of exible, slightly divergingY fingers between which the end of the strand may be engaged and an inner end `portion connecting the fingers, an elongate-flexible keeper, means connecting the innerend of the keeper andsaid inner end portion of the element so that the keeper may be 'swung from lan extended positionto any active position where it clamps against the wound strand, the element and keeper being bowed outwardly between their ends due tothe engagement of the keeper with the wound strand so that the-'outer ends of thekeeper and element tend to cross, and nieansfor latching the keeper in the active position, said means comprising walls on the keeper deiining-anopening 'for receiving the outer endV portion of the element to retain the same where it is in the crossed relation to the keeper.

5. A hair curler comprising two flexible elongate members, one a spindle on which a strand of hair is to be wound, the other a keeper, means for pivotally connecting the inner ends of the members whereby the keeper may be swung against the Wound strand to maintain the samev in the wound state, the members bowing apart between their ends so that their outer portions tend to cross when the keeper is brought to the active position, and means for latching the keeper in the active position comprising walls on the outer portion of one member defining an opening for receiving the outer portion of the other member when said portions cross.

6. A hair curler comprising two flexible. elongate members, one a spindle on which a strand of hair is to be wound, the other a keeper, said members each being one-piece elements, means for pivotally connecting the inner ends of the members whereby the keeper may be swung against the wound strand to maintain the same in the wound state on the spindle, the members bowing apart between their ends so that their outer portions ten'd to cross when the keeper is brought to the active position, and means for latching the keeper in the active position comprising walls on the outer portion of one member defining an opening for receiving the outer portion of the other member when said portions cross.

7. A hair curler of the character described comprising a spindle element on which a strand of hair is to be Wound, the element including a pair of exible, slightly diverging ngers between which the end of the strand may be engaged and an inner end portion connecting the fingers, said fingers and portion being integral and said portion being of tubular form, a hexible keeper having a pair of spaced ears integral therewith, a pin extending between the ears and passing through said tubular portion to pivotally connect the spindle element and keeper whereby the keeper may be brought in face to face relation with the spindle element so that it engages against the strand wound on the spindle element to keep it in the wound state, the outer end parts of the spindle element and keeper tending to cross when the keeper is forced against the wound strand, and walls on the keeper dening an opening which receives the outer end portion of the spindle element to latch the keeper in the active position.

` DORIANE ARCHER. 

